Brother hacks ex-panchayat chief to death

Police arrested the accused Ilayaraja (45) for killing his brother Soundarajan (56), an ex-president of Vembakudi panchayat. Police said that Ilayaraja alias Mohammed Isam of Vembakudi near Ayyampettai had embraced Islam recently and was residing in Coimbatore. He was working there as a construction coolie. It is said that there has been a prolonged dispute between Ilayaraja and his brother Soundarajan over a family property. 

Two days ago, Ilayaraja had come to his native village. He picked up a quarrel with his brother demanding his share of family property. However, as usual Soundarajan refused to heed to his demand. Family sources said that Soundarajan refused to part with the family property as his brother had converted to another religion and moreover left to family to live separately. 

On Friday night, Ilayaraja once again quarrelled with his brother on the issue. The tussle went well into late night. In the wee hours of Saturday, in a fit of rage and frustration, Ilayaraja started attacking his brother Soundarajan with a blade he had concealed all along. An unsuspecting Soundarajan sustained deep cut injuries on his neck, hands and chest. He fell down unconscious. 

Soon, family members rushed him to the Thanjavur Medical College Hospital. However, the doctors there declared him brought dead. Based on the complaint by Aravind Raj, son of Soundarajan, Ayyampettai police registered a case and arrested Ilayaraja. Further investigations are on.